RICOH and Google Team Up to Enable RICOH THETA Spherical Images to Be Posted On Google Maps TM and Google+TM

(January 29, 2014)

(PRWEB) January 29, 2014

Ricoh Company, Ltd. and RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD. have updated the apps for the RICOH THETA spherical image camera to allow users to post spherical images to Google Maps and Google+, two services provided by Google. Made possible through a collaboration between Ricoh Company, Ltd. and Google, the RICOH THETA apps are now compatible with Photo Sphere XMP, Google's panoramic image standard.

Released today, the RICOH THETA for AndroidTM Version 1.2.0, RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0 and RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac Version 1.5.0, are now able to post spherical images to Google Maps and Google+. Photos taken outdoors or even inside facilities can be shared by posting them on Google Maps and Google+. Users can also enjoy the Constellations feature, which enables them to connect spherical images to make an original Street View.

RICOH THETA owners can post spherical images to Google Maps and Google+ by downloading the new version of the app for their connected device.

*A computer is required for posting spherical images from an iPhone to Google Maps.

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0 and RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0 Spherical images can be uploaded to Google+ from your smartphone. You can also scroll around spherical images in Google+.

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0 Spherical images can be saved in the Gallery* and Google Photos (Android) and uploaded directly by selecting "Google+" from the sharing function of the Gallery or Google Photos. Spherical images saved in the Gallery and Google Photos can also be browsed in RICOH THETA app for Android Version 1.2.0.

RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0 Spherical images can be saved in the Camera Roll (iOS and be uploaded from the Camera Roll by installing the Google+ app and using the Add Photo function). Spherical images saved in the Camera Roll can also be browsed in RICOH THETA for iPhone Version 1.5.0.

RICOH THETA for Android Version 1.2.0 only Spherical images can be uploaded to Google Maps directly from your smartphone directly by selecting "Google Maps" from the sharing function of the Gallery or Google Photos.

*The Gallery is the original album app of the Smartphone Google Edition and the Nexus Series.

RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac Version 1.5.0 It is possible to apply Photo Sphere XMP to captured photos saved on your computer and output them as spherical images. To do so, Open the spherical image to which you want to apply Photo Sphere XMP, select "Write" > "Write with XMP" from "File" in the menu bar and save the image. Upload the image to Google Maps or Google+ in your browser.

RICOH THETA for Windows®/Mac does not have a function for uploading spherical images directly to Google Maps or Google+.

*Spherical images uploaded to Google Maps using the above apps need to be approved by Google before being posted.

Windows is registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

iPhone, iPod touch, Mac, Macintosh and OS X are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.